Maxar, Busek thruster system passes critical milestone

Busek Co., a Natick, Massachusetts-based developer of high-performance electric propulsion technology for space applications, and Maxar Technologies, an innovator in Earth intelligence and space infrastructure, successfully completed a hot-fire test campaign validating all major elements of the 6kW solar electric propulsion (SEP) subsystem for the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) of NASA's Gateway in lunar orbit.

The electric propulsion subsystem for the PPE spacecraft features Maxar-built high-power control electronics (PPU-6000), a Moog xenon feed system, and four Busek-built BHT-6000 Hall effect thrusters. Together, this system is 30% more powerful than any SEP system flown by these companies. Busek's thrusters will help enable highly efficient electric orbit-raising, station keeping, and maneuvering for Gateway.

"Busek's BHT-6000 electric thrusters offer high-power capabilities at a competitive price point and are a great fit for both our near-Earth and deep space programs," said Robert Curbeam, senior vice president of Space Capture at Maxar. "The SEP systems we are evolving for PPE are a fantastic example of innovative commercial technology with great flight heritage being leveraged for NASA programs. We continue to make steady progress on the PPE, with the next major milestone being the spacecraft preliminary design review, which is targeted for later this year."

The PPE will provide power, maneuvering, attitude control, and communications systems for the lunar orbiting outpost. Gateway is a foundational part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the Moon and enable future crewed missions to Mars. The PPE is managed by NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, and Maxar is working on the program from its facilities in Palo Alto and San Jose, California.

"This will be the first time a crewed platform leverages electric propulsion technology, and Busek is extremely proud to provide next-generation Hall thrusters for the Power and Propulsion Element," said Busek President and Founder Vlad Hruby.